Posted at: 05/21/2010 6:47 PM
Updated at: 05/21/2010 6:49 PM
By: Lorilyn Prestidge

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Improving Reading Skills for Kids

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Thousands of children across the state are not reading at their grade level, and studies show children who aren't proficient in reading by the third grade will likely fall further behind.

One school in our area is finishing up a program trying to get students up-to-speed and school officials want others to follow their lead.

Inside this small room children are getting one-on-one tutoring called Reading Corps.

"Which is a state wide initiative to help students kindergarten to third grade become proficient readers," said Reading Corps Literary Tutor, Christina Weigel.

Sibley Elementary is the first school in our area to get the program, but next year it will be in three Albert Lea schools.

"I think it is just a great opportunity for a district standpoint to do what we can for all of our kids," said Sibley Elementary Principal Ross Williams.

Volunteers help targeted students using a variety of techniques to identify reading problems and to get the children excited.

"Always I tell them now you're on the air and I put the little passage in front of the camera and I do a little count down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and then I point to them and they read it off, and that most of the kids love that one," said Weigel.

These one-on-one activities are proving to be quite a success story at Sibley.

"We've have lots of parents telling us how they are seen the improvement at home," said Sibley Elementary teacher, Michelle Wiens.

"Almost all of the third graders made their goals or have improved to reading levels," said Weigel.

The program has helped at least 30 students in Albert Lea so far, but the hope is it's just the beginning.

"I asked her if it would be okay if I could go to Alden, Glenville, and Wells, their schools, and let them know what Reading Corps has done for Sibley, because it's a little amount of time, but it changes a lot," said Weigel. 

"Having the opportunity to bring in somebody in a service position in your community to work with just one thing and provide to that to maybe a small niche that wouldn't have otherwise gotten it, to that degree why would you not do it," said Williams.

Americorp's Reading Corps program is currently looking for literacy tutors for the 2010-2011 school year including four position openings in Albert Lea.